Kevin Ciubotaru in full flow for Dundee United
Ciubotaru in full flow for United. Image: SNS
Kevin Ciubotaru is ready to put down roots at Dundee United following a nomadic, tumultuous start to his professional career.
The Romanian international has already embarked on more travelling – and endured more peaks and troughs – than many players will manage during an entire career.
Aged just 22, he has played in FIVE different countries, seen his progress left in limbo after moving to England and faced his previous club, Hermannstadt, going to the wall, leaving the youngster scrambling to find new employers.
As such, the prospect of stability and longevity at Tannadice is mighty attractive.
Kevin Ciubotaru is on a fine run of form
Kevin Ciubotaru is on a fine run of form. Image: SNS
“I have done a lot of travelling for someone my age; I am used to a lot of moving around,” said Ciubotaru.
“I have lived in Italy, Austria, England, Scotland and Romania so far.
“It makes you tough. You become resilient and mature at a young age. That helps you get through tough periods, when you get them, and you can handle them easier.
“I always look at the positives. Among the challenges, I have had a lot of good experiences, and you learn to take the benefits and grow.
“But I also want to stay somewhere for a while now. I have always been moving to new places, new countries; it would be nice to stay somewhere for a bit. I am enjoying life in Dundee and have settled here with my team-mates.”
From Rome to London, via Vienna
Ciubotaru was born in Rome and played youth football for Città di Ciampino before joining Rapid Vienna following a successful trial period, recalling: “With Rapid, I stayed there for six months because I couldn’t speak the language.
“I couldn’t understand what the coach wanted from me.
“After that I went to Admira Wacker, which was also a top division club, and I spent three years there.”
Kevin Ciubotaru on his Romania debut.
Ciubotaru on his Romania debut. Image: Shutterstock. .
He made the decision to move to England with his father in search of further opportunities and, while his talent was never in doubt, an issue with securing international clearance for a foreign scholar scuppered several potential big moves.
As such, he was left playing with London-based college side Kinetic Foundation amid uncertainty regarding what the future held.
“I was in England playing for Kinetic Foundation because I had been on trial a lot of places – but because of the paperwork they couldn’t sign me,” recalled Ciubotaru.
“The rules around signing players U/18 from abroad in England are difficult because of the international clearance. I even went to a team, trained for one day and then they told me they couldn’t sign me because of the papers.
Kevin Ciubotaru on the ball
Ciubotaru on the ball. Image: Shutterstock.
“It was a difficult time in my career because I was going on trials, but nobody could do anything.
“There was another club where everything was fine but then they backed off late on because of the rules. But you need to get on with it and hope the chance will come someday.”
Pulled out of limbo
It was Rangers who rode the rescue. In tabling a professional contract, the Light Blues managed to navigate the paperwork issue that plagued Ciubotaru’s initial time in England.
While he failed to make the breakthrough at Ibrox, a switch to the Romanian top-flight with Hermannstadt followed – a standout campaign that saw him capped for his country – before their financial crisis during the summer.
United are the TENTH club he has been attached to.
Ciubotaru, in action for Rangers' kids, in no stranger to Scotland.
Ciubotaru, in action for Rangers’ kids. Image: Shuttesrtock.
“Kinetic play many showcase games so that’s how I got scouted in the end,” continued Ciubotaru.
“Rangers saw me and they offered me a professional contract after a two-week trial, so that is how I was able to sign.
“Because of this journey, I really appreciate the opportunities I’m getting. I know I need to make the most of it.”
A different test
Next up for Ciubotaru is the visit of Aberdeen and, with the weather conditions set to be brutal at Tannadice, he is up for an ugly battle for the points.
“I know Aberdeen are a physical side, and pretty direct,” he added. “It’s also going to be very windy and raining – so we need to win our individuals battles first and be strong.
“Yes, we have a lot of quality in the team, but we also have physical players so we can definitely keep up with their level of that.”